Abutilon plant named ‘RutAbut2’

ABSTRACT

An  Abutilon  plant named ‘RutAbut2’ has prolific quantities of large yellow flowers, a compact and more prostrate growth habit, shorter internodes, and has an extended duration of flowering.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH

This invention was made, in part, with U.S. Government support on behalf of U.S. Department of Agriculture, Hatch Act Grant. The U.S. Government has certain rights in this invention.

Genus and species: Abutilon×hybridum.

Variety denomination: The new Abutilon×hybridum claimed is of the cultivar denominated ‘RutAbut2’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Abutilon×hybridium, hereinafter referred to by the varietal denomination ‘RutAbut2’.

Pedigree and history: The original ‘RutAbut2’ plant is a product of a cross made between Abutilon ‘Fairy Coral Red’ (unpatented, female parent) and Abutilon ‘Halo’ (unpatented, male parent) in 2007 under the direction of David Knauft and Suzzanne Tate. Cuttings from the original ‘RutAbut2’ plant were first taken in Watkinsville, Ga., in March of 2008 and were planted in Watkinsville, Ga. in May of 2008 to produce asexually propagated plants of the new ‘RutAbut2’ variety. Additional plants of the ‘RutAbut2’ variety, asexually propagated by cuttings, were transferred to a location in Bonsall, Calif. in June of 2012 for further evaluation. ‘RutAbut2’ has been evaluated through trials at locations in Athens, Ga. from 2009 to 2013; in Tifton, Ga. from 2009 to 2012, and Bonsall, Calif. from 2012 to 2013.

‘RutAbut2’ has been cold hardy outside in Tifton, Ga. in unprotected containers sitting above ground. Flowering occurs on ‘RutAbut2’ from mid-April until hard frost in Athens, Ga., whereas in contrast most selections of Abutilon stop flowering in heat of summer.

The Inventors would expect the cultivar to be used commercially as a perennial in USDA zones 8b-11. ‘RutAbut2’ can be used as a flowering annual in colder parts of the United States. Production is expected in the southeastern and southwestern United States. ‘RutAbut2’ should perform well in other countries with similar climates. ‘RutAbut2’ can be used in hanging baskets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Abutilon cultivar named ‘RutAbut2’. In combination, these traits set ‘RutAbut2’ apart from all other existing varieties of Abutilon known to the Inventors. Asexual propagation by cuttings has proven that these characteristics are firmly fixed in succeeding asexually propagated generations.

-   -   1. Extended duration of flowering.     -   2. Improved, more compact habit.     -   3. Shorter internodes.     -   4. More prostrate growth.     -   5. Prolific.     -   6. Larger yellow flowers.

Plants of the new Abutilon can be compared to ‘Canary Bird’ (unpatented) in the industry. ‘RutAbut2’ is an improvement over the industry standard because it has increased flowering in comparison to ‘Canary Bird’.

Compared to its female parent ‘Fairy Coral Red’, ‘RutAbut2’ has larger flowers and foliage.

Compared to its male parent ‘Halo’, ‘RutAbut2’ has a less dark calyx and petals that are not as yellow.

TABLE 1 Flower sizes and color information for Abutilon varieties listed below; growing in a trial garden in Athens, Georgia (data were collected on Sep. 11, 2012) Diameter (cm) Length (cm) Clone Mean Range Mean Range Note ‘A08-0401’ 3.4 2.9-3.7 3.8 3.5-4.0 Bright red, stamens insert, heavy bloom. ‘RutAbut2’ 2.1 1.7-2.3 3.5 3.4-3.5 Pure yellow, stamens exsert, only a few flowers ‘RutAbut1’ 2.9 2.2-4.0 3.2 2.6-3.5 Yellow-orange with red throat, stamens exsert, heavy to medium bloom ‘A08-2110’ 5.7 4.8-6.3 3.7 3.4-4.1 Pinkish red (watermelon red), stamens exsert, medium bloom ‘A08-2112’ 6.0 4.8-6.8 3.9 3.4-4.3 Red, stamens exsert, heavy bloom ‘A08-2114’ 5.7 4.9-6.1 3.8 3.6-4.1 Yellow with distinguished red venation, stamens exsert, heavy bloom ‘A08-2121’ 2.9 2.2-3.8 3.9 3.2-4.7 Light pinkish red, stamens insert, only a few flowers ‘A08-2125’ 5.5 4.5-6.1 4.4 4.0-4.6 Yellow with red marginal veins, stamens exsert, heavy bloom ‘FCR’ 1.3 1.0-1.7 3.4 3.0-3.7 Deep red, stamens exsert, only 3 flowers ‘A08-2131’ 5.4 4.5-6.2 3.7 3.4-4.2 Pinkish red, stamens exsert, heavy bloom The above varieties are all unpatented. The A08 prefix designated clones and ‘FCR’ designation are experimental variety designations that may be changed at a later time. An application for ‘RutAbut1’ was filed on Apr. 6, 2015, and assigned U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 14/545,198.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying colored photographic illustrations show the overall appearance and distinct characteristics of the new ‘RutAbut2’ cultivar. The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with the photographic and printing technology utilized.

The photograph labeled FIG. 1 depicts ‘RutAbut2’.

The photograph labeled FIG. 2 depicts a flower from the plant of the new variety.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the Abutilon cultivar named ‘RutAbut2’. Data was collected in Tifton, Ga. from 12 month old plants grown from cuttings and growing outdoors in unprotected containers sitting above ground. ‘RutAbut2’ has not been tested under all possible conditions hence, phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental conditions without any variance in genotype.

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small letter signify that the name of that color, as used in common speech, is aptly descriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designate values based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart, 5^(th) edition published by The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.), London, England.

-   Parentage: ‘RutAbut2’ is a seedling selection resulting from the     deliberate controlled crossing of the following parents:     -   -   Female parent.—‘Fairy Coral Red’.         -   Male parent.—‘Halo’. -   Vigor: Fairly vigorous. -   Growth habit: Upright spreading. -   Type: Perennial in zones where it is hardy. -   Size:     -   -   Height (cm).—94.         -   Width (cm).—88×105 — (typical, measurements taken at             narrowest and widest width). -   Stem:     -   -   Branching habit.—Freely.         -   Stem length (cm) typical range.—10 to 40.         -   Stem diameter (mm) typical.—2.         -   Stem texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Upper — Green Group 137A. Lower — Green Group 143A.         -   Pubescence.—Yes.         -   Shape.—Round.         -   Odor (of bruised stem).—None.         -   Internode (length).—3 cm. -   Leaf:     -   -   Upper color.—Young — Green Group 137A, 137B. Grown up —             Green Group 139A.         -   Lower color.—Young — Green Group 137A, 137B. Grown up —             139A.         -   Mature size (L×W) (cm).—8.7×5.8.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Cordate.         -   Margin.—Serrated.         -   Shape.—Lobed.         -   Number of lobes.—1 lobe per side.         -   Pubescence.—Present on both upper and lower leaf surfaces.         -   Arrangement on stem.—Alternate.         -   Venation.—Netted.         -   Vein color, upper surface.—Yellow-Green Group 146B.         -   Vein color, lower surface.—Yellow-Green Group 147C.         -   Texture.—Papery. -   Petiole:     -   -   Length (cm).—2.5.         -   Shape.—Round.         -   Color.—Upper — Green Group 137A. Lower — Green Group 143A.         -   Pubescence.—Yes.         -   Diameter (mm).—1.         -   Stipules.—None. -   Flower:     -   -   Inflorescence.—Number of individual flowers per stem —             generally one flower per leaf node.         -   Individual flower.—Size (L×W), typical (cm): 3 to 4×4.5.             Axillary or terminal — axillary. Symmetry — actinomorphic.             Fragrance: none. Petal Number per flower: five. Petal — Size             (L×W), typical, (cm) — 4.1×2.6. Shape — spatular. Apex —             round. Base — attenuate. Margin — entire. Color at peak of             bloom — Upper: Yellow-Orange group 15C. Center:             Yellow-Orange group 15C. Petals: Not fused. Bud color:             Greyed-Orange group 173A. Bud shape: Ovoid. Bud size             (typical) Length (cm): 1.5. Width (cm at widest point): 1.             Bud apex: Cuspidate. Bud surface: Pubescent. Pedicels —             Color — Green. Pubescence — Yes. Length (cm) — 6.6. Sepals —             Number — 5 calyx. Size (cm) — 1.6. Shape — base connects,             top divides. Pubescence — Yes. Color — Greyed-Red 179C.             Stamens — Number — approximately 120. Size — 0.2 cm in             length and 0.5 mm in diameter. Color — red. Pollen Color —             Yellow-Orange group 17C. Pubescence — none. Anther color:             Brown group 200D. Anther shape: Elliptical. Pollen quantity:             Moderately heavy. Pollen color: Yellow group 12A. Pistils —             Size of style — 3.3 cm long. Color of style — Greyed-Purple             184D. Color of stigma — Greyed-Purple 185A. Duration of             bloom — In Watkinsville, Ga., individual flowers typically             last about 5 days from bud opening. -   Seed: None observed. -   Hardiness: Proven hardy in USDA zones 8a and 10a where it has been     grown and evaluated as of this time. Full range of USDA zones where     the plant is hardy has not yet been determined. -   Disease resistance: No unusual disease resistance or susceptibility     has been observed to date. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of the Abutilon×hybridum plant named ‘RutAbut2’ substantially as illustrated and described herein. 